featured-image

Finals Set To Start On Thursday

Despite being down 3-1 after four games, the Golden State Warriors took down the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night to advance to the NBA Finals, giving us a rematch of last year’s matchup between Steph Curry and LeBron James.

Maybe we should be surprised. Coming back from 3-1 isn’t easy, but if you put each game in a vacuum, you probably would have picked Golden State in each game. And once it got back to Golden State for Game 7, well, so long OKC.

Now we have what we thought we’d have since last year’s Finals ended in six games. You have the league’s best player in the last decade in James going head-to-head against the new (baby) face of the NBA in Curry.

There are plenty of storylines…

The Cavaliers Are Healthy

It’s remarkable to think the Cavaliers took the Warriors to six games without two of their three best players - Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. Love was hurt in the first round against the Celtics, while Irving sat out after suffering a knee injury in Game 1 of the Finals. Love has been often-criticized, some of it deserved because his defense is like my Ferrari - it doesn’t exist. But he’s still a great rebounder and a great offensive player. When he plays small ball five, Cleveland’s offense is peak. Irving’s also limited defensively, but he’s one of the best five offensive point guards in the game.

Did Draymond Green Get Exposed?

It’s no secret his play fell off in the Western Conference Finals. He scored less than 10 points twice and he hasn’t eclipsed more than 20 points in his last six games. He’s a Swiss Army Knife, so he’ll probably figure out a way to contribute, whether it’s with a pass, a bucket or a rebound. But he’s walking on thin ice after his groin shot to Steven Adams. The Cavaliers know they can probably get under Green’s skin - and they should try. He’s only one flagrant foul away from an automatic suspension.

Getting One For Cleveland

Cleveland hasn’t had much to cheer about in the sports world. Johnny Manziel didn't work out (to be generous), the Indians are meh and its biggest star, a homegrown kid, left its basketball team. But now James is back and he’s hoping to give Cleveland its first sports title since 1964.

On a legacy standpoint, it would give James his third title, putting him with the likes of Larry Bird and Dwyane Wade. We know he’s already one of the game’s best players, but every ring counts on the legacy meter and there are plenty of hot takes to feed. If he can get his third, ending his career with five isn’t crazy talk. We’ve already seen that he’s not afraid to team up with other stars if need be - even if it means leaving Cleveland again.

Finals Schedule

Game 1: Cleveland at Golden State

Thursday, June 2, 8 p.m., ABC

Game 2: Cleveland at Golden State

Sunday, June 5, 7 p.m., ABC

Game 3: Golden State at Cleveland

Wednesday, June 8, 8 p.m., ABC

Game 4: Golden State at Cleveland

Friday, June 10, 8 p.m., ABC

Game 5 (if needed): Golden State at Cleveland

Monday, June 13, 8 p.m., ABC

Game 6 (if needed): Cleveland at Golden State

Thursday, June 16, 8 p.m., ABC

Game 7 (if needed): Cleveland at Golden State

Sunday, June 19, 7 p.m., ABC